Go to the download BIOS section, and read the enhancements/bug fixes for that BIOS update, and if it fixes any problems you have, including this one, download it, if it doesn't fix any problems you have, don't download it.
I have the inspiron 5150 with the radeon 9000 64 MB and 512 MB of ram, and I've had it for almost six months now and resentally my computer does the same thing as Higney85 and I reinstalled XP and upgraded just about everything that i can and at first it would shut down without warning while i was playing 3D games and now it's starting to do it while i'm doing common task's in windows, if anyone figures out why it does that and/or how to fix it email me or reply here, thanx
well I have called dell and did ask about bios- was told all my bios were fine, I have good circulation and have done some extreme measures to make sure the heat stays down (went and played on the patio where it was 40 degrees and propped the comp up on 4 corner blocks- about 3" off the surface) and it still shut off. I recieved the box from dell to send it back today so I will be sending it off shortly and I will post once i get it back- or hear back from dell. This is a very frustrating matter.
i dont have a 5150 but i do have a 5100 and it does have heat problems and does what you describe above. theres a thread about the problem on this forum....i ran the diagnostic for the fans and they are working fine. the email support guy says that its a heat sink problem and dell is gonna send me the packaging and then airborne is supposed to come and pick it up to bring to dell for service.
until that happens i have my laptop propped up on a couple of pieces of lumber (1x2's...12" long) to allow more air to circulate underneath. now it only occasionally shuts off.
i have a 5150 and i have recently been having the exact same problems, right now dell is supposed to be replacing my motherboard and memory, so let us know what happens with you. its rather frustrating.
Keeeep on waiting... sent mine in on 11/25 for the fan being dead/system over heating... still 'waiting on a part'.. though i've been GUARANTEED by india tech support that the part will arrive tomorrow and that i will have the laptop in my hands by monday.......... and cows fly too!
*an update* I recieved an e-mail from dell tech support apologizing for the wait and telling me that my "motherboard part" is the hold up and they are getting a new one for my computer as fast as they can. The "motherboard part" was not specified so I am not sure what exactly was wrong but I will hopefully get my computer back soon. If I dont have it by christmas I will stop being patient and nice.... Dell has been very couteous (sp?) and helpful so far and I understand that sometimes parts arent in.
I had a 5150 delivered last monday, P4 3.06Ghz 512Mb, Nvidia 32Mb and I have had the same problem. It turns itself off.
I have run the Dell Diagnostics & it confirms that the fan is dead.
I phoned Dell Tech in India & I arranged for a new fan to be fitted the next day. Today they have phoned to say they aren't coming because the part is out of stock & to let me know that I need a new Motherboard & that It will be fitted tomorrow onsite.
They told me that the motherboard is a 'new' design to fix some problems & that they are getting it in stock today & I will have my machine working tomorrow - Hiray!
I have talked to Dell Dispatch & they won't know whether the board is being fitted tomorrow until tomorrow morning. Apparently they have found a problem with the Bluetooth on the current M/B so they have produced a 'fix' on a new board & they don't know whether it will be in stock or not ??
Yeah, I just sent my 5150 in today for a similar problem. I however think its possibly a design flaw because the 5150 is based of the design of the 5100 and a good amount of people are having reoccuring problems even after sending it in. I seriously wonder what will happen after my 1 year warrenty runs out.
CSmith06
2 Intern
•
956 Posts
0
November 28th, 2003 13:00
inachu
49 Posts
0
November 28th, 2003 18:00
I solved that issue very quickly.
I no longer play 3d games when on my lap as my legs block the air intake.
at night since its the winter months i sit the laptop near my window that I leave a crack open for nice very cool air.
its been 2 weeks so far and no heat related crash......
any other crash was from my touchpad driver conflicting with Ms optical usb mouse with wheel.
both are now fixed..... When my internet was slow i also rebooted my cable modem and or let it cool off once a week and so im all fixed and like new!
Message Edited by inachu on 11-28-2003 02:22 PM
mcmahand
3 Posts
0
November 29th, 2003 01:00
Higney85
146 Posts
0
November 29th, 2003 04:00
randy41
46 Posts
0
November 29th, 2003 10:00
i dont have a 5150 but i do have a 5100 and it does have heat problems and does what you describe above. theres a thread about the problem on this forum....i ran the diagnostic for the fans and they are working fine. the email support guy says that its a heat sink problem and dell is gonna send me the packaging and then airborne is supposed to come and pick it up to bring to dell for service.
until that happens i have my laptop propped up on a couple of pieces of lumber (1x2's...12" long) to allow more air to circulate underneath. now it only occasionally shuts off.
anyway...go read through the other thread......
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=112325&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
edited to add a link to the other thread
Message Edited by randy41 on 11-29-2003 06:58 AM
mcmahand
3 Posts
0
December 1st, 2003 10:00
mcmahand
3 Posts
0
December 12th, 2003 23:00
Higney85
146 Posts
0
December 13th, 2003 00:00
proteusx
5 Posts
0
December 16th, 2003 04:00
lordcat
1 Message
0
December 17th, 2003 00:00
Higney85
146 Posts
0
December 17th, 2003 04:00
*an update* I recieved an e-mail from dell tech support apologizing for the wait and telling me that my "motherboard part" is the hold up and they are getting a new one for my computer as fast as they can. The "motherboard part" was not specified so I am not sure what exactly was wrong but I will hopefully get my computer back soon. If I dont have it by christmas I will stop being patient and nice.... Dell has been very couteous (sp?) and helpful so far and I understand that sometimes parts arent in.
Rawy5486
2 Posts
0
December 17th, 2003 13:00
Hi,
I had a 5150 delivered last monday, P4 3.06Ghz 512Mb, Nvidia 32Mb and I have had the same problem. It turns itself off.
I have run the Dell Diagnostics & it confirms that the fan is dead.
I phoned Dell Tech in India & I arranged for a new fan to be fitted the next day. Today they have phoned to say they aren't coming because the part is out of stock & to let me know that I need a new Motherboard & that It will be fitted tomorrow onsite.
They told me that the motherboard is a 'new' design to fix some problems & that they are getting it in stock today & I will have my machine working tomorrow - Hiray!
Rawy
randy41
46 Posts
0
December 17th, 2003 13:00
i hope they follow through
good luck
Rawy5486
2 Posts
0
December 17th, 2003 16:00
Update -
I have talked to Dell Dispatch & they won't know whether the board is being fitted tomorrow until tomorrow morning. Apparently they have found a problem with the Bluetooth on the current M/B so they have produced a 'fix' on a new board & they don't know whether it will be in stock or not ??
All I can do is cross my fingers & wait
Rawy
athlon2004
24 Posts
0
December 17th, 2003 21:00